Supporter of the free clinic pour out of the doors during the blessing. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blesses the new Mother of Mercy Free Clinic in Manassas on World Day of the Poor, Nov. 19. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

For 27 years, the pro-lifers who faithfully prayed outside the
Manassas abortion clinic were forced to keep their distance. “This was a very
dark place and a place that we were all kind of scared of. We were warned if we
got too close that the police would come,” said Kelly McGinn, a parishioner of
All Saints Church in Manassas.

On World Day of the Poor, Nov. 19, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
blessed the building as the new Mother of Mercy Free Clinic.

Some 80 Catholics, many of whom had stood vigil outside the
abortion clinic, gathered in the building and spilled out onto the sidewalk for
the event. “It’s just an amazing thing to cross the threshold,” said McGinn.
“It’s really crossing the threshold of hope because now this is a place where people
who don't have access to medical care are going to be nurtured.”

During his opening remarks, Art Bennett, president and CEO of diocesan
Catholic Charities, took a moment to remember those who lost their lives at the
abortion clinic as well as the pro-lifers who prayed for the clinic to close.
“Right out there is where the interventions were made and where the grace was
built for the change that we’re seeing here today,” he said.

Over the years, those who prayed outside the clinic witnessed
many miracles, said Mike Hadro. One of
the doctors who performed abortions no longer does, he said. Women decided to
keep their babies or place them for adoption. One of those children is now Hadro’s
adopted granddaughter. “We’ve had so many fruits from this clinic.”

Pro-lifer Brian Shaw befriended the widowed owner of the clinic.
A group of Catholics formed the BVM Foundation to raise money to buy the clinic
from her, shutting down the business and allowing her to retire. The owner,
former Catholic, has reconciled with the church, said Hadro.

“It wasn't enough to stop
an evil,” said Bennett. “They wanted something good to happen, so this (free
clinic) is the full flowering of the solidarity of our church.”

Bishop Burbidge expressed his gratitude that the blessing could
take place on the inaugural World Day of the Poor. The motto this year is “Love
not in word, but in deed.”

“What an incredible deed this is,” he said before sprinkling holy
water throughout the facility. “We want to entrust this building to God’s
protection and care. All those who come through these doors, we want them to
experience not only good medical care and attention, but compassion and the
love of Christ.”

Many local clergy and volunteers who will run the clinic were
present at the blessing, including Deacon Scott Ross, a physician and
parishioner of Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville who serves as medical
director. Most of the clinic’s volunteers belong to nearby parishes, but other
churches have shown their support as well. St. Ann Church in Arlington made 120
first-aid kits for the clinic.

The facility will open for patients Dec. 6 and provide general medical
care for thousands of uninsured adults in the region, said Deacon Ross. If a patient
needs surgery, an X-ray, gynecological services or any other specialty, the
clinic knows other doctors they can contact. “It’s truly a blessing,” he said.

“I see lots of people coming here,” said Father Juan A. Puigbó,
parochial vicar of All Saints with special care of St. Gabriel Mission in
Manassas Park. “Those undocumented, those immigrants who are new to the area
who are looking not only for medical care but for a human touch that comes from
God to tell them they are protected, they are going to be ok.

“Lots of these people that
are going to come to the free clinic were praying on the street for the former
clinic to go away,” he said. “And people didn’t know this was going to happen.
This is all God’s grace coming into perfect order.”